Temperature controlling valve



Patented June 12, 1951 "ITED d'lATES OFFICE ration of Delaware Ap raise caster i, 1945, seen in. 619,610

15 Claims This invention relates to valve structures and more particularly to a valve structure designed for use in air conditioning systems to effect change-over from summer to winter operating conditions or vice-versa. The invention is also concerned with an air conditioning system including suc'h valve structure. I I v In Carrier Patents Nos; 2,363,294 and 2,363,945, granted November 21, 1944, and November 28, 1944; respectively, there is disclosed an air conditioning system in which a volume of air is con-- ditioned to a desired degree at a central conditidning point and is then distributed at rela tively high static pressure and at relatively high velocity to a plurality of units respectively disposed in and serving a plurality of enclosures w be conditioned. The high pressure air supplied to each unit is discharged therein through nozzle formations or the like and in this manner induces a relatively great circulation of air withdrawn from the area served by the unit. Primary or conditioned air and secondary or induced air are then supplied to the area to be conditioned; The primary air may be conditioned at acentral conditioning point. Heated or cooled water or other fluid is delivered to' the various units from a cen-- tral station to effect sensible heating or cooling of air circulating through the units asrequired; In such system, it is necessary to supply some form of control to produce and tomaintain desired atmospheric conditions.

The chief object of this invention is to" provide a new and improved valve structure. An object of this invention isto provide an improved valve structure for use in an air conditioning unit capable of satisfactory performance under different seasonal operating conditions. A further object is to provide a valve including means capable ofchanging the operation of the structure under different seasonal operating conditions. A- still further object is to provide an air conditioning system including means whereby conditioningmediumis permitted tobypass the conditioningunit in response to changes in temperature of the area or space being conditioned. A still further object is to provide an improved closure member for use in valve structures; A still further object is to provide a valve structure including a bypass passage adapted for use when the primary passage of the valve is closed to permit free new of conditioning medium through the valve thereby obviating stagnation of conditioning medium in the valve; Other objects of my invention will be readily perceivedfrom the following description.-

Thisinvention relates to avalve structure which comprises in combination a housing having a passage therethrough, means for opening a d closing the passage, and means for controlling the operation of said first means, said second means being operable in response to the condition of the medium entering the housing to control the operation of said first means. The change; over or control mechanism of the valve structure may be responsive to the temperature of con-'- dit m g me ium entering the housing or t6 he hydrostatic pressure of such medium.- The phrase edndition of medium entering the housing is used to denote generallythe temperature or the hydrostatic pressure of the conditioning medium entering the housing which serves to actuate the ge 'over mechanism: The invention also in closure member: of specific design adapted td close the passage through the valve; such niernber' serves to improve control characteristics and permits operation against higher differential pressure invention also includes a specific arrangement of elements to provide a bypass permitti g free flow of conditioning medium through 1 when it is" desired to prevent now of 06nd 1o rig medium to the conditioning The ttached drawing illustrates a preferred embed nt of my invention, in which t Fig 1 is escapee view illustrating the valve structure of my invention;

Figure 2 is a sectional View taken on the line 2+2 as Figure 1;

Fig re 3 is a frag'mentary diagrammatic view Oran air conditioning system employing the improved val'v'e structure shown in Figure 1; and

Figure 4 is fragmentary sectional view of the Valve shown in Figure 1 illustrating a modified form of valve structure.

Referring to t e drawing, there is shown the valve structure 2 of my invention; Valve 2 inel uues using designated generan' at 3, prefer: ably f6 medin two sections for easy positioning of the various elements. The two sections of housing 3 may be securedtogether by any suit= able fasteningmeans as shown at 4. Inlet 5 is fo rrr-ied' in housing 3 to permit entrance of condi'tioning' medium to the interibr of the housing. An outlet 6 is provided to permit the passage of conditioning medium from the valve 2. Inlet 5 is connected to a duct 7' from which conditioning medium may be conducted to" the valve; camditi'oning medium flows through valve 2 and from the outleteto'heat'exchange member 8 of a con ditieiiin'gi unit" 9. Conditioning" medium passes threugn theheat'exchangemember 8 to a second; duct l0 which returns it to a central source" of housing 3, and are capable of pivoting or rotating about pin l8. A whifile-tree I1 is provided to rotate or pivot bell cranks l4 and I5 about the pivot pin l6. One arm I? of whiflle-tree I! is pinned to crank I4 at point 28 while the other arm ll of whiflle-tree H is pinned to bell crank H3 at point 27. A rod I8 having one end terminating in a yoke 13 is secured to whiifle-tree H. The opposite end of rod H8 is secured to a bellows 28; lever is advanced or withdrawn by expansion and contraction of bellows 28. Bellows 20, preferably, forms part of a regulating element responsive to the temperature of the space being conditioned.

A plate 2| carrying members 22 and 23 influences or controls the movement of bell cranks l4 and I5 and determines whether bell crank l4 or bell crank l5 is rotated by whiille-tree about pivot pin I8. Movement of plate 2| in a substantially vertical direction determines whether member 23 or member 22 is placed in position to permit or to prevent rotary movement of crank 14 or crank i5. Movement of plate 2| is controlled by means of a bellows 24.

Bellows 24 may be responsive to the temperature of conditioning medium entering the valve or it may be responsive to the hydrostatic pressiu'e of conditioning medium entering the valve. As shown, bellows 24 may be filled with expansible fluid, as is well known in the art, which expands or contracts in response to the temperature of conditioning medium entering the valve.

Pin l6 extends through a slot in plate 2| and permits plate 2| to move freely in a substantially vertical direction in response to contraction and expansion of bellows 24 to dispose members 22 or 23 in position to limit movement of cranks I4 or IS. A stop 25 is provided rigidly fixed to the walls of housing 3 to prevent rotation of cranks |4 and I5 in one direction.

Closure member |2 includes a valve member 28 adapted to engage valve seat 28 to close the passage through valve structure 2. Member 28 is provided with a passage 38 extending from its exterior surface to an internal cavity 3| and thence to the outlet 6 of the valve. A valve seat 32 is provided in member 28 and is adapted to cooperate with an enlarged head 33 of rod 34 which serves to raise member 28 from seat 29 and to lower member 28 into engagement with seat 29 in response to rotation of bell cranks l4 or IS. A pin 35 is provided in rod 34 and is adapted to engage the ends of bell cranks M and i5 in order to permit rod 34 to be raised by ro. tation of cranks M or i5. As rod 34 is raised, it removes head 33 from engagement with seat 32 permitting passage of conditioning medium through the interior of member 28 and to outlet 8. Upon further movement of rod 34 in an upward direction it engages the upper portion of member 28 and moves member 28 from engagement with seat 29, thus opening the passage to the flow of conditioning medium and permitting free flow of conditioning medium through the valve.

Plug 31 extends through the wall of housing 3. Plug 37 is provided with a passage 38 to permit the flow of conditioning medium through bypass II. An end 33 of rod 34 is adapted to cooperate with valve seat 48 of plug 37 to close passage 38 to the free flow of conditioning medium to bypass Spring 4| is interposed between one end of plug 37 and a stop 42 attached to rod 34. Spring 4| holds open the passage 38 to bypass i I while maintaining member 28 in engaging position with seat 29 to prevent passage of conditioning medium to outlet 6. As rod 34 is raised by cranks [4 or l5, end 39 of rod 34 engages valve seat 40 and closes passage 38 to free flow of conditioning medium to bypass while permitting free flow of conditioning medium to outlet 6. As rod 34 is lowered, member 28 engages seat 29 and prevents passage of conditioning medium to outlet 3 while permitting flow of conditioning medium to bypass I through passage 38.

As pointed out above, bellows 20 forms part of a regulating control. The regulating control may be composed of a thermo sensitive element 43 and a limit regulating control 44 as well known in the art. Element 43 is connected to bellows 20 by line 45. Limit regulating control 44 is also connected to bellows 28 by line 46. Bellows 28, element 43, control 44, and lines 45 and 46 are filled with a fluid capable of expansion and contraction in accordance with the temperature of the space being conditioned. Element 43, preferably, is disposed in such space as shown in Figure 3. Any suitable fluid may be used in the closed circuit formed by such elements, for example, oil or other expansible liquids. Such control element is Well known in the art and forms no part of my invention per se.

I will describe the operation of the valve under winter conditions, assuming that hot water, for example, is being passed from duct 1 to the heat exchange member 8 of conditioning unit 9. The temperature of the conditioning medium in the valve causes the fluid in bellows 24 to expand thus expanding bellows 24 and moving plate 2% downward; movement of plate 2| downward places control member 22 in position to prevent rotation of crank l5 about pin i6. Assume the temperature of the space being conditioned reflects a demand for heating. Bellows 28 contracts carrying with it rod l8 and forcing arm I? of whifile-tree I7, attached to crank M, to move backward, to the left as shown in Figure l, rotating bell crank I4 about pivot pin l6. Bell crank i5 is held in fixed position by means of stop 22 so that whifile-tree H pivots about point 2? permitting arm to be moved as described. Rotation of bell crank M, which engages pin 33 of rod 34, raises rod 34 and permits conditioning medium to flow through passage 38 and cavity 3| of member 28, permitting minor flow of conditioning medium to heat exchange member 8. As bellows 2|] refleets a demand for further conditioning medium, crank it rotates through a greater arc about pin [6 and disengages member 28 from valve seat 29 permitting a greater amount of conditioning medium to flow to heat exchange member 8.

Assume element 43 then reflects an increase in temperature in the space being conditioned causing bellows 28 to expand. Limiting member 22, of course, prevents rotation of bell crank l5. Accordingly, whifiie-tree I! again pivots about point 21 and moves arm ll forward, to the right as shown in Figure 1. Movement of arm.

5. ll in a forward direction rotates-bell crank l4 about pivot pin 16 permitting spring 4| to force rod 34 downward, moving member 28 downward to limit the flow of conditioning medium to heat exchange member 8. As rod 34 is raised, end 39 thereof engages valve seat 40 in plug Ti and closes bypass H; as member 28 again moves downward into engagement with valve seat 29, spring 4| forces rod 34 downward to close outlet 6 and to open passage 38 leading to bypass H.

Under summer operating conditions cold water, for example, is supplied to heat exchange member 8. Bellows 24, responsive to the temperature of the water entering the valve, contracts raising plate 2! and placing member 23 in position to prevent rotation of bell crank !4 about pin it. As element 43 reflects a demand for cooling in the space being conditioned, bellows 20 expands pivoting whifile-tree ll about point 28 and moving arm ll" forward, to the right as shown in Figure 1. Movement of arm ll" rotates crank l about pin Hi to raise rod 34, opening outlet 5 to the passage of conditioning medium to heat exchange member 8. As element 43 reflects a decrease in temperature of the space being conditioned, bellows 2E3 contracts, again pivoting whiffie-tree I! about point 26 and moving arm ll" rearwardly, to the left as shown in Figure l, to rotate crank l5 about pin it in the opposite direction. Control member 23, prevents movement of crank l4 thus assuring movement of crank l5. Crank i5 permits rod 34 to be forced downward by spring 4| to close outlet !i by engagement of member 28 with valve seat 29 and engagement of head 33 of rod 34 with valve seat 32 of member 28. As rod 34 is lowered, passage30 leading to bypass I! is again opened to permit the passage of conditioning medium through bypass thus obviating the collection of stagnant water in valve 2.

In Figure 4 there is illustrated a modified form of valve structure adapted to permit the valve to operate under high pressure differences without a decrease in sensitivity. As shown in Figure 4 the end of rod 34 leading to bypass I l is formed in the shape of a piston 41 fitting within chamber 48 leading to the bypass ll. Valve member l2 secured to the opposite end of rod 34 serves to engage valve seat I3 to close outlet G to the passage of conditioning medium. Piston 41 is slightly smaller in area than the main valve port I3. Since the pressure drop across the bypass piston 4'! is substantially the same as the'pressure drop across the main valve port i3, when the valve member is in closed position, approximately equal forces are exerted serving to move rod '34 in either direction. As rod 34 moves, the

magnitude of the two forces changes to some extent but still serves to maintain the valve in balance.

My invention provides a ready and simple means for'controlling the operationof air conditioning systems under summer and winter operating conditions. The valve structure of my invention permits a ready and efficient changeover'from summer to winter operating conditions in an air conditioning system.

The valve structure of my invention is simple, economical and readily manufactured and installed. In addition, my invention provides an improved closure member for a valve structure which permits increased sensitivity of operation and prevents chattering of the valve. It also permits more simple and less expensive valve elements to be provided thereby considerably decreasing the cost of the valve.

My invention provides a constant flow of conditioning medium through the valve and obviates collection of stagnant conditioning medium in the valve since the medium supplied to the valve is either passed to the heat exchange member of the conditioning unit or is permitted to flow through the valve to a bypass which returns the conditioning medium to a central source of supply.

'While I have described and illustrated a preferred embodiment of my invention, it will be understood that my invention is not limited thereto since it may be otherwise embodied within the scope of the following claims.

I claim:

1. In a valve structure, the combination of a housing having a passage therethrough, means for opening and closing said passage, a whifiietree connected to said means, thermostatic means for actuating said whifiie-tree, and an element for controlling movement of said first means, and second thermostatic means for placing said element in a first position to control movement of said means when medium of a predetermined temperature enters the housing and in a second position to change the direction of movement of said first means when medium of a different temperature enters the housing.

2. In a valve structure, the combination of a housing having a passage therethrough, a 010- sure in said passage, a whiffle-tree, bell cranks for moving said closure to open and to close the passage, said bell cranks being connected to said whiffle-tree and being operable in response to movement thereof, a plate, thermostatic means for moving said plate in response to the condition of medium entering the housing, members carried by said plate adapted to control movement of said bell cranks, the member placed in position to prevent movement of one of said bell cranks being determined by movement of said plate, and thermostatic means for actuating said whifiie-tree in response to a change in temperature in an area being conditioned.

3. In a valve structure, the combination of a housing having a passage therethrough, a closure in said passage, a whifile-tree, bell cranks for moving said closure to open and to close the passage, said bell cranks being connected to said whiffle-tree and operable by movement thereof, a plate movable in response to the condition of medium entering the housing, members carried by said plate adapted to control movement of said bell cranks, thermostatic means for moving said plate to a first position in response to a predetermined condition of medium entering the housing to place one of said members in position to prevent movement of one of said bell cranks and to a second position in response to a diiferent condition of medium entering the housing to place a second member in position to prevent movement of another bell crank, and second thermostatic means for actuating said whiflle-tree in response to a change in temperature in an area being conditioned.

4. In a valve structure, the combination of a housing having a passage therethrough, a closure in said passage, a whifiie-tree, a temperature responsive element for actuating said Whiflietree, said element being responsive to the temperature of the space being conditiond, bell cranks connected to said whiffie-tree and operable by movement thereof, a plate, thermostatic means for moving said plate from a first position to a second position in response to the condition of medium entering the housing, members carried by said plate adapted to control movement of said bell cranks, the member placed in controlling position being determined by the position of said plate, said closure including a member for closing said passage, said closure member having a second passage therein leading from the exterior thereof to the first passage, and a second closure member adapted to close the passage in said first closure member, each of said bell cranks as determined by said control members serving to move said second closure member to open the passage through said first closure member and upon further movement to move said first closure member to open the first passage.

5. In a valve structure, the combination of a housing having a passage therethrough, a valve member for opening and closing said passage means for moving the valve member to open and to close the passage, a \vhifile-tree connected to said means, thermostatic means for actuating said whiffle-tree in response to a change in temperature in an area being conditioned, means for controlling the operation of said first means, a thermostatic element for operating said control means in response to the condition of medium entering the housing, and a passage in said housing connected to a bypass, said first means serving to open said second passage when said first sage is closed and to close said second passage when said first passage is open.

6. In an air conditioning system, the ccmbination of an air conditioning unit containing a heat exchange member, a duct for the passage of conditioning medium to said member, a second duct for withdrawing conditioning medium from said member, a valve in said first duct to meter the amount of conditioning medium passing through said unit, said valve including a housing having a passage therethrough, a closure in said passage, a whiffie-tree, thermostatic means for actuating the whiflie-tree in response to a change in temperature in an area being conditioned, bell cranks for moving said closure to open and to close the passage, said bell cranks being connected to said whifiie-tree and operable by movement thereof, a plate, second thermostatic means for moving said plate in response to the condition of medium entering the housing, members carried by said plate adapted to control movement of said bell cranks, the member placed in controlling position being determined by movement of said plate, a passage the housing connected to a bypass, and a bypass connecting said housing with said second duct, said closure serving to close said first duct to the passage of conditioning medium and to open said bypass to the passage of conditioning medium in response to a predetermined temperature of the space being conditioned and to close said bypass and to open said first duct to the passage of conditioning medium in response to a change in the temperature of the space being conditioned.

'7. In a valve structure, the combination of a housing having a passage therethrough, a member for opening and closing said passage, movable means for actuating said member, a first thermostatic element to actuate said means in response to a change in temperature of a space being conditioned, a second member to govern movement of said means, a second thermostatic element to control the position of said second member in response to the condition of medium 8 entering the housing whereby said member is disposed in a first position in response to a predetermined condition of medium entering the housing and in a second position in response to a predetermined change in condition of medium entering the housing, a second passage in said housing connected to a bypass, and a secondmember actuated by said means for opening and closing the second passage, said means serving to open the second passage when the first passage is closed and to close the second passage when the first passage is open.

8. In a valve structure, the combination of a housing having a passage therethrough, a 010- sure in said passage, a whiffle-tree, bell cranks for moving said closure to open and to close the passage, said bell cranks being connected to said whifile-tree and being operable by movement thereof, thermostatic means for actuating the Whiiile-tree in response to a change in temperature in an area being conditioned, a plate, a thermostatic element for moving said plate in response to the condition of medium entering the housing, members carried by said plate adapted to control movement of said bell cranks, the member placed in controlling position being deermined by movement of said plate, and a second passage in said housing connected to a bypass, each of said bell cranks as determined by said control members serving to open said second passage when said first passage is closed, and to close said second passage when said first passage is open.

9. In an air conditioning system, the combination of an air conditioning unit containing a heat exchange member, a line for the passage of conditioning medium to said member, a second line for with rawing conditioning medium from said member, a valve in said first line to meter the amount of conditioning medium passing through the heat exchange member of said unit, said valve including a housing having a passage therethrough and means for opening and closing said passage, thermostatic means for actuating said means in response to change in temperature of a space being conditioned, third means for controlling the operation of said first means, and thermostatic means for actuating said third means in response to the condition of medium entering the housing through said first line to change the direction of movement of said first means, a passage in said housing connected to a bypass, and a bypass connecting said housing with said second line, said first means serving to close said first line to the passage of conditioning medium and to open said bypass to the passage of conditioning medium in response to a predetermined temperature of the space being conditioned, and to close said bypass and to open said first line in response to a change in the temperature of the space being conditioned.

10. In a valve structure, the combination of a housing having a passage therethrough, means for opening and closing said passage, a whiiiletree connected to said means, thermostatic means for actuating said Whifiie-tree, means for controlling the operation of said first means, and a second thermostatic means for actuating said control means in response to the condition of medium entering the housing to reverse the operation of said first means.

11. In a valve structure, the combination of a housing having a passage therethrough, a valve member for opening and closing said passage,

means for moving the valve member to open and to close the passage, a whiifie-tree connected to said means, thermostatic means for actuatin said whifiie-tree in response to a change in temperature of a space being conditioned, a control element, members carried by said element for controlling movement of said first means and second thermostatic means for moving said element in response to the condition of medium entering the housing to select the member placed in control position.

12. In a valve structure, the combination of a housing having apassage therethrough, a valve member for opening and closing said passage, cranks for moving said member, a, first thermostatic element to actuate the cranks in response to a change in temperature of a space being conditioned, a movable member for selecting the crank to move said valve member, and a second thermo static element to place said movable member in a position to select the crank to move said valve member, said second thermostatic element being responsive to the condition of medium entering the housing whereby in response to a predetermined condition of mediurn entering the housing,

one of said cranks actuates said valve member to move in a direction to increase fiow of medium through the housing upon an increase in temperature in a space being conditioned while in response to a predetermined change in condition of medium entering the housing a second crank actuates said valve member to move in a direction to decrease flow of medium through the housing upon an increase in temperature in a space being conditioned.

13. In a valve structure, the combination of a housing having a port therein, a valve member adapted to move from and toward the port to open and to close the port; a device including a first member and a second member for actuating said valve member, both members being connected to the valve member, and thermostatic means to actuate said members in response to a change in temperature in an area being conditioned; a movable element carrying stop members for selecting the member to actuate the valve member, and second thermostatic means for moving said element to a first position in response to a predetermined condition of conditioning medium entering the housing to prevent movement of said first member while permitting movement of said second member and to a second position in response to a predetermined change .in condition of medium entering the housing to prevent movement of said second member While permitting movement of said first member.

14. In a valve structure, the combination of a 10 housing having a port therein, a valve member adapted to move from and toward the port to open and close the port, a plurality of elements connected to said valve member to open and to close the port, a first thermostatic element to actuate said elements in response to the temperature of an area being conditioned, a movable member for selecting the element to actuate the valve member, and a second thermostatic element responsive to the condition of medium entering the housing to place the movable member in a first position to select one of the elements to actuatethe valve member when medium of a predetermined condition enters the housing, and in a second position to select a second element to actuate the valve member when medium of a different condition enters the housing.

15. In a temperature responsive valve for regulating the flow of heat transfer medium to an air conditioning unit, the combination of a valve casing having an outlet port and a bypass port for heat transfer medium, a valve stem aligned with and positioned between said ports, said stem having a valve end portion cooperable with said bypass port, a double valve member on said stem cooperable with said outlet port, said valve member having a hollow main portion containing a valve seat and having a secondary valve portion cooperable with said seat and fixed on said stem, said main portion including a member slidably receiving said stem and engageable by said secondary portion to lift said main portion, a

whiflie-tree, means for transmitting movement of the whifiie-tree to said valve stem, thermostatic means for actuating said whiiile-tree, members governing movement of the transmitting means, and a second thermostatic means for actuating said governing members in response to the condition of medium entering the housing to reverse the direction of movement of said valve stem.

WILLIAM L. MCGRATH.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,143,380 Gibson -1 June 15, 1915 1,286,971 Farr Dec. 10, 1918 1,409,072 Vincent Mar. '7, 1922 1,498,191 Morrison June 17, 1924 2,121,625 Crago June 21, 1938 2,154,050 Brumbaugh Apr. 11, 1939 2,235,210 Fonseca Mar. 18, 1941 2,310,293 Joesting Feb. 9, 1943 2,353,389 Giesler July 18, 1944 

